Chattogram:The water logging mitigation project in Chattogram is on track to be completed by the end of March next year, with the handover process to begin in April. The 34 Engineer Construction Brigade of the Bangladesh Army has announced an extension of the project's duration to June 2027.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Mohsinul Haque Chowdhury, Project Director of the Army's 34 Engineer Construction Brigade, presented a roadmap on September 23 during a consultative meeting at the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) office. The roadmap outlines steps necessary to address urban waterlogging, with over 92 percent of the project already completed. The remaining work is projected to be finished by the last week of March.
Following the project's completion, responsibilities will be transferred from the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) to the CCC. This will involve sharing technical expertise and training for maintenance, ensuring the CCC can fully manage the project. Emphasis is also placed on post-completion maintenance and the integration of canals and drains into a comprehensive drainage network.
Minister of Water Resources Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie highlighted the importance of proper upkeep, stating that infrastructure alone is not sufficient. He emphasized the need for a coordinated effort among agencies to ensure the sustainability of the existing infrastructure. The minister acknowledged past planning shortcomings, advocating for a focus on effective and sustainable infrastructure management moving forward.
Currently, work on 30 of the 36 canals is fully completed. The remaining six canals have 98 percent of the work done, with delays caused by the monsoon. These tasks are expected to be completed by December. The excavation of the Hijra Canal, previously halted due to the monsoon, has resumed, with plans to complete the remaining retaining walls, bridges, and silt traps by March.
During the handover, technical knowledge will be shared with the CCC to assist in future maintenance. The Project Director has advised the CCC to prepare a Detailed Project Plan (DPP) if more time is needed to prepare for maintenance. The project has established retaining walls to prevent canal encroachment, and service roads are being built for access by maintenance equipment.
Dr. Shahadat Hossain, Administrator of the CCC, confirmed that the CCC would assume responsibility for the project only after its completion. The CDA has expressed interest in handing over the project, and the CCC is considering how to proceed with future waterlogging mitigation efforts.
The project, approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in 2017 with a budget of Tk 5,616 crore, initially had a three-year implementation period ending in 2020.